Post navigation

Bronte sisters

Bronte sisters are known as a phenomenon in English literature. They were born in a poor family of 8. A brother – Patrick Branwell, two girls – Mary and Elizabeth, who died young (in 1849) and tree more girls, the sisters: Emily, Charlotte, and Ann Bronte who are known as great female writers.

They lost their mother to cancer in 1821, and their father – Patrick Bronte – raised them with the help of their aunt – Elizabeth Branwell. Patrick Bronte died in 1961.

When the sisters started writing they weren’t very popular. The first book they published (altogether) was the book of their poems. Only two volumes were sold out, but sisters kept working.

Charlotte Bronte (21 April 1816 – 31 March 1855; aged 38).

The most famous work of Charlotte Bronte is “Jane Eyre” that came out under her pseudonym – Currer Bell. The book is about pure love of the honest poor girl – Jane Eyre – to a man she worked for. She loves him in spite of anything; she is very capable of forgiving and understanding even though she went through awful lot in her life. The calm and kind girl who finds her happiness, her soul mate. I am sure most of us know and love the book. This novel became popular from the very moment it came out. Charlotte Bronte died at the age of 38. When she got sick, her doctor believed that all the symptoms she had were those of pregnancy. The actual reason of her death is unknown.

Emily Bronte (30 July 1818 – 19 December 1848; aged 30).

The most famous book written by Emily Bronte is “Wuthering Heights”. It was published under a pseudonym Ellis Bell (Currer Bell’s “brother”). I would say the love story of this novel is the opposite of that of “Jane Eyre”. Unlike Jane Eyre’s love, Heathcliff’s love to Katherine is devastating, it kills all the good inside him and hurts people around him. He blames everyone in her death but himself. Even her daughter. He lives in pain, his grief and his love destroy everything on their way. When the main character dies everyone feels relieved. Unfortunately, “Wuthering Heights” were appreciated fully only after Emily Bronte’s death.

Ann Bronte (17 January 1820 – 28 May 1849; aged 29).

Ann Bronte was the youngest sister and her work is less known. She is the author of “Agnes Grey” and “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall”. Back then British editors believed that the novel “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” was the best novel out of three works: “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte (Currer Bell), “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte (Ellis Bell) and “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” by Ann Bronte whose pen mane was Acton Bell. Ann is less known due to efforts of her older sister – Charlotte Bronte – to prevent publishing “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” as it was rather feminist for its time.

When their books became famous enough sisters were ready to tell the world their real names. And now we know who to thank for these wonderful novels.